Courses | Plant Biology | SIU

BIO 306 - Cell Biology

4 Credit Hours

The basic functions of the cell are considered. The biochemical basis and mechanisms of the cellular processes, the functions of the subcellular structures, and their ramifications will be explored in the context of plant and animal cells. Prerequisites: BIOL 200A, B and CHEM 140a or CHEM 200 and 201. Syllabus Check Class Schedule for Availability

PLB 115 - General Biology

3 Credit Hours

Introduction to fundamental biological concepts for non-life science majors interested in learning about interrelationships of human, plant and animal communities. Integrated lecture and laboratory cover topics that include structure and function of living systems, reproduction and inheritance, evolution, biological diversity and environmental biology. Integrated lecture and laboratory cover topics that include structure and function of living systems, reproduction and inheritance, evolution, biological diversity and environmental biology. Laboratory applies scientific methods to the study of living systems. This course is the same as Zoology 115. Lab fee $15

This course satisfies University Core Curriculum requirements.

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PLB 117 - Plants and Society

3 Credit Hours

A multidisciplinary approach to understanding the relationships between plants and humans: basic botanical principles (cell structure, morphology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, systematics, diversity and ecology); historical and modern uses of plants (fibers, building materials, crops, beverages, medicines); crops, poisonous plants, and biotechnology.  Observational and experimental labs reinforce lecture topics.  Lab fee: $15

This course satisfies University Core Curriculum requirements.

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PLB 200 - General Plant Biology

4 Credit Hours

An introduction to Plant Biology. Emphasis is placed on structure and reproduction, embryo development, and vital developmental processes needed for plant survival, such as photosynthesis, respiration, water transport and nutrient assimilation. Other topics include cell division, basic Mendelian genetics, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, taxonomy, evolution, ecology, and conservation. The course also includes a brief overview of medicinal plants and their biologically active compounds. Three lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Lab fee: $15

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PLB 300 - Plant Diversity

4 Credit Hours

This course surveys the history and diversity of algae, land plants, and fungi-branches of the tree of life that are of immense importance both to the ecosystem and to human interests.  Emphasis is on evolution, ecology, symbiotic relationships, life cycles, and adaptive morphology.  Prerequisite: BIOL 200B or PLB 200.  Lab fee: $50
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PLB 301i - Environmental Issues

3 Credit Hours

Fundamental biological processes governing the individual, population, and community ecology of organisms are integrated with the social and political background of contemporary environmental issues. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis and discussion. Two lectures and one discussion per week. Lab fee: $5. Prerequisite: none, but strongly recommend completion of core science requirements.  Syllabus Check Class Schedule for Availability

PLB 304 - Elements of Plant Systematics

4 Credit Hours

The principles of plant classification including history, nomenclature, specimen collection and preservation, current systematic methodologies, and a survey of the pteridophytes, lycophytes, gymnosperms and 50 angiosperm families. Two lectures and four laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 200B or PLB 200. Lab fee: $50
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PLB 317 - Introduction to Medical Botany

3 Credit Hours

A survey of plants affecting human health and how they are used historically and in modern times, with emphasis on the biologically active constituents.  Laboratory experiments will introduce students to techniques in production, isolation, chemical analysis and biological testing of medicinal compounds from plants. Prerequisites: BIOL 200A and 200B, CHEM 140A or CHEM 200 and 201. Lab fee: $25
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PLB 320 - Elements of Plant Physiology

4 Credit Hours

The processes used by plants to meet their basic needs and to control growth and development.  Prerequisite: BIOL 200B or PLB 200; CHEM 200 and CHEM 201.  Lab fee: $50
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PLB 360 - Introductory Biostatistics

3 Credit Hours

Introduction to basic statistical concepts and methods as applied to biological data. Includes descriptive techniques such as measures of central tendency variability, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, and simple linear regression. Computer analysis and report writing will be required. Prerequisite: MATH 108
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PLB 390 - Readings in Plant Biology

1-3 Credit Hours

Individually assigned readings in botanical literature. Every semester. Prerequisite: consent of departmental chairperson.

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PLB 400 - Plant Anatomy

4 Credit Hours

This course is an introduction to the differentiation, diversification and structure of plant tissues and organs, with emphasis on the organization of seed plants. Laboratory will include instruction in the techniques of microscopy used in the study of plant structure. Two lectures and two laboratories per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 200B or PLB 200. Lab fee: $50.

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PLB 415 - Morphology of Vascular Plants

5 Credit Hours

The study of external form, internal structure, and relationships of vascular plants. Prerequisite: BIOL 200A and BIOL 200B, or PLB 200; PLB 300 & 400 recommended.  Lab fee: $40

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PLB 416 - Limnology

3 Credit Hours

Lakes and inland waters; the organisms living in them, and the factors affecting these organisms. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 with a grade of C or better.  Lab/Field Trip Fee: $15

Same course as ZOOL 416

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PLB 419 - Plant Molecular Biology

3 Credit Hours

A survey of molecular phenomena unique to plant systems. Topics will include: genome organization and synteny between plant genomes, transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of gene expression, signal transduction, epigenetics, plant-pathogen interactions and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.  Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or CSEM 305.  Restricted to junior standing.

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PLB 425 - Environmental Physiology of Plants

5 Credit Hours

The environmental physiology of plants focuses primarily on the influence of abiotic factors such as light, water, temperature, mineral nutrients, pollutants, and other abiotic factors on plant physiology, growth, development, and yield. The physiological, biochemical, and molecular basis of abiotic stress responses and the use of biotechnology to increase abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants are also explored. Prerequisite: PLB 320 or PLSS 409. Lab fee: $35.

Same course as PSS and PSGAS 425

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PLB 427 - Plant Biochemistry

5 Credit Hours

Exploration of fundamental biochemical pathways in plants with an emphasis upon carbon and nitrogen metabolism.  Prerequisite: PLB 320 or consent of instructor.  Lab fee: $35

Same course as PSAS 427 and CSEM 427

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PLB 433 - Introduction to Agricultural Biotechnology

4 Credit Hours

This course will cover the basic principles of plant and animal biotechnology using current examples; gene mapping in breeding, transgenic approaches to improve crop plants and transgenic approaches to improve animals will be considered. Technology transfer from laboratory to marketplace will be considered. An understanding of gene mapping, cloning, transfer, and expression will be derived.

Same Course as PSAS 433

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PLB 435 - Plant-Insect Interactions

3 Credit Hours

Plants and insects have played major roles influencing each other's evolutionary diversification. This course will be an evolutionary and ecological examination of the interactions between plants and insects. Topics include herbivory, pollination relationships, ant-plant mutualisms, host plant choice, specilization vs. generalized relationships; seed and fruit dispersal, coevolution/cospeciation, and chemical ecology.  Prerequisite: BIOL 200A, B or equivalent, BIOL 307 or equivalent.

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PLB 438 - Plant and Animal Molecular Genetics Lab

3 Credit Hours

Arabidopsis and Drosophila model organisms, lab-based training in laboratory safety, reagent preparation, phenotype analysis, genetics, DNA and RNA analysis, PCR, cDNA construction, cloning and sequencing of genes. Includes plant and bacterial transformation, and a population level analysis of genetic variation using RAPD markers in grasses and Alu insertion in humans. Two 2-hr labs and one 1-hr lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $30. [listed with College of Agriculture as Techniques in Plant Molecular Biology].

Same Course as AGSY, PLSS, PSAS and ZOOL 438

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PLB 440 - Grassland Ecology

3 Credit Hours

A study of grassland structure and function in relation to various biotic and abiotic factors.  Field trips will visit local grasslands.  Prerequisite: BIOL 307 or consent of instructor.  Lab fee: $50

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PLB 443 - Restoration Ecology

4 Credit Hours

Ecological restoration tests current understanding of ecosystem assembly and function. This course applies ecological theory to restoration, with an emphasis on factors influencing plant community assembly and evaluating restoration success. Two lectures a week and one four hour lab alternate weeks. Lab fee: $15. Prerequisite: Biology 307 or equivalent.

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PLB 444 - Quantitative Plant Ecology

4 Credit Hours

Includes concepts and methods pertaining to the analysis of ecological data. Approaches will include quantitative methods for classifying, ordinating, and describing structure of communities. Laboratory will include the computer application of these concepts and methods to field situations.  Prerequisite: PLB/ZOOL 360, BIOL 307.  Lab fee: $15.

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PLB 445 - Wetland Plant Ecology

5 Credit Hours

Provides students with experience in wetland plant ecology and management with an emphasis on wetland functioning, field sampling, and identification of common wetland plants.  Prerequisite: BIOL 200B or PLB 200; and BIOL 307; or consent of instructor.  Lab fee: $25

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PLB 449 - Plant Systematics and Evolution

3 Credit Hours

The principles of modern plant systematics including classification methods, phenetics, cladistics, speciation and isolating mechanisms, plant breeding systems, basic population genetics, hybridization, polyploidy, and flowering plant phylogenetic relationships using traditional and molecular markers. Prerequisite: Plant Biology 304 (or equivalent) or consent of instructor.

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PLB 451 - Flora of Southern Illinois

3 Credit Hours

Exposure to the major upland and lowland communities of southern Illinois with an emphasis on the identification, distribution and ecology of the natural and introduced floristic components. Prerequisite: PLB 304 or consent of instructor.  Field Trip Fee not to exceed $160

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PLB 452 - Plant Population Ecology

4 Credit Hours

The principles of plant population ecology including the spatial, age, size and genetic structures of plant populations. The origin of these different kinds of population structure, their influences upon each other, and their temporal dynamics. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 or consent of instructor.  Lab fee: $35

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PLB 471 - Introduction to Systems Biology

3 Credit Hours

The bioinformatic analysis of large genomic and post-genomic data sets. Integration of gene regulation, protein interaction, metabolite and hormonal signaling provides an understanding of basic cellular circuitry networks.  Examine redundancy, robustness and decision making in biological systems.  Lab includes databases, tools and manipulation of large data sets.  Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or CS 330. Lab fee: $15

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PLB 475 - Advanced Cell Biology

3 Credit Hours

Cell structure at molecular and cytological levels. Includes discussions of research methods, plasma membrane, cell exterior and recognition, the endomembrane system and related organelles, self-replicating organelles, the cytoskeleton, nuclear structure and function in cell replication, cell differentiation and response, and eukaryotic cell evolution. Online, as a distance education course. Prerequisite: BIOL 306 or equivalent.

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PLB 479 - Plant Variation

3 Credit Hours

Classical and modern plant biosystematics focused at and below the species level. Chromosomal and molecular bases for genetic and phenotypic variation in plants, isolating mechanisms, speciation, hybridization, polyploidy, phylogeography, and conservation genetics will be discussed. Prerequisite: Plant Biology 304 (or equivalent) or consent of instructor.

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PLB 480 - Senior Seminar

1 Credit Hours

Reading, writings, discussions and presentations of current research topics in Plant Biology. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisite: senior standing or consent of instructor.

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PLB 492 - Honors in Plant Biology

2-6 Credit Hours

Individual research problems available to qualified juniors and seniors. Special approval needed from the department chair.

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PLB 493 - Research topics in Plant Biology

1-4 Credit Hours

Individual laboratory or field work under supervised direction:

• Ecology
• Systematics
• Physiology/Molecular Biology

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PLB 504 - Molecular Evolution and Systematics

3 Credit Hours

Same as ZOOL 500 Check Class Schedule for Availability

PLB 524 - Gene Regulatory Networks

2 Credit Hours

An examination of the integration of genes into developmental, abiotic stress response, metabolic and light gene regulatory networks. Includes motif discovery, cis-regulatory elements, discussion of transcription factor families, RNA interference, network theory, feedback loops, cytoplasmic inheritance, maternal effect, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation. Prerequisites: BIOL 305 or PLB 471.

Same course as PSAS 524

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PLB 525D - Cell Fractionation and Biochemistry

2-4 Credit Hours

A special techniques course designed for graduate students specializing in cell studies. Provides instrumentation training, with emphasis on application of the method to a research project on cell fractionation and biochemical techniques.

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PLB 530 - Plant Ecophysiology

3 Credit Hours

A study of the physiological processes that influence the growth, reproduction, adaptation, and geographic distribution of plants. The ecophysiology of plant stress and plant interactions. Prerequisite: PLB 320 or CSEM 409; BIOL 307.

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PLB 533 - Plant Growth and Morphogensis

3 Credit Hours

A study of the role of the environmental variables (light, temperature, etc.) and phytohormones in the growth and morphogensis of intact plants and tissue cultures. The theories of plant organogensis and the synthesis, translocation, regulation and mode of action of the major classes of phytohormones will be treated in light of the most recent literature. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: 320 or consent of instructor.

Same course as PSAS 520

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PLB 545 - Ecosystem Ecology

3 Credit Hours

Fundamentals of and human modification to atmospheric chemistry and cycling of major nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems are covered in the context of global change. Laboratory exercises provide methodology and analytical approaches to studying ecosystem structure and function. Two lectures a week and one four-hour lab alternate weeks.

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PLB 546 - Nutrient Cycling Methods

2 Credit Hours

Research in ecosystem ecology requires a basic understanding of biochemistry. Analytical methodology used to study pools and transformations of major nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems, applicable to freshwater systems, will be the focus of this laboratory course. Three hour laboratory every other week. Prerequisites: PLB 545 or concurrent enrollment. Lab fee: $30

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PLB 554 - Evolution Seminar

1-4 Credit Hours

Adanced topics in evolutionary biology including genetics & development, evolutionary ecology, phylogeny, paleontology, biogeography, population genetics, molecular ecology, speciation, molecular evolution, and macroevolution. Topics will vary each semester. Seminar format with group discussions and student presentations. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Same course as ANTH, MBMB and ZOOL 554

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PLB 556 - Phylogenetics

3 Credit Hours

An advanced introduction to modern methods of phylogenetic inference, emphasizing both theoretical background concepts and numerical approaches to data analysis. Topics include properties of morphological and molecular characters, models of character evolution, tree estimation procedures, and tree-based testing of evolutionary hypotheses. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Same course as ZOOL 556

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PLB 557 - Biostatistics

4 Credit Hours

Basic biostatistical procedures used by researchers in life sciences and related fields. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability and distributions, statistical models, likelihood methods, experimental design, analysis of variance, regression, correlation, and the use of statistical software.

Same course as ZOOL 557

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PLB 558 - Advanced Biostatistics

4 Credit Hours

Advanced biostatistical procedures used by researchers in life sciences and related fields. Topics include multiple and logistic regression, randomization tests, jackknife and bootstrap. Mantel tests, BACI designs, MANOVA, repeated measures analysis, and the use of statistical software. Prerequisite: PLB 557 or ZOOL 557,

Same course as ZOOL 558

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PLB 570 - Graduate Readings in Plant Biology

2-3 Credit Hours

A course of individually assigned readings in botanical literature. Every semester. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Graded S / U only.

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PLB 571 - Genomics of Eukaryotes

4 Credit Hours

Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics are rapidly making important contributions to the life science through biotechnology. An appreciation of the genomic tools is important to all in agriculture and biology. The relationships between plant molecular biology and the biotechnology industry will be explored. Short independent practical projects in genomics, proteomics or bioinformatics will be pursued.

Same course as PSAS 571

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PLB 578 - Population Genetics

3 Credit Hours

Genetic structure of populations, factors causing changes and principles governing rate and direction of change. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: Zoology 304 or equivalent, and Biology 305 or equivalent.

Same course as ZOOL 578

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PLB 580 - Departmental Seminar

1-6 Credit Hours

Student presentations and critiques of original research, including presentations by occasional invited speakers. Graded S / U only. Required of all graduate students in residence, when offered. 1 per semester

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PLB 589 - Seminars in Plant Biology

1-12 Credit Hours

Studies of current and historical research and literature in various topic areas of plant biology: (a) ecology, (b) molecular biochemical physiology, (c) systematics and biodiversity. Graded S / U only. 1 per topic per semester.

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PLB 590 - Introduction to Research

1-3 Credit Hours

General introduction to research techniques. Techniques to be determined by instructor and students. Graded S / U only. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

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PLB 591 - Research

2-9 Credit Hours

Assignments involving research and individual problems. (a) Ecology, (b) Molecular Biochemical Physiology, (c) Systematics and Biodiversity. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Every semester. Graded S/U only. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

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PLB 599 - Thesis

2-9 Credit Hours

Course to be taken in the preparation of the Master's thesis. Every semester. Graded S / U only. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

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PLB 600 - Dissertation

1-36 Credit Hours

Course to be taken in the research for and in writing of the doctoral dissertation. Every semester. Graded S / U only. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. 1 to 12 credits per semester

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PLB 601 - Semester Continuing Enrollment

1 Credit Hours

For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research. or the minimum thesis, or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S / U or DEF only. 1 credit per Semester Continuing Enrollment 

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